Savage d



me Model Q s, D, TRBNHOLM.

, GAR GOUPLING.

Patented Sept. 18, 1888.

Nrrnn STATES l .erreur .Frica CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,181, dated September 18, 1883.

Application iled July 6, 1883. (No model.)

1o and use the same.

V My invention relates to an improvement in `automatic car-couplings, the object being to produce a -coupling which shall combine simplicity and cheapness of construction with durability and efficiency in use.

;With these objects in view my invention consists in certain details of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying` drawings, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a car-coupling embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view thereof in vertical longitudinal section, the coupling being unlocked. Fig. 3 is a similar view, the

coupling being locked; and Fig. 4 is a detached view in perspective of the coupler.

In the drawings, A represents a draw-head,

which may be of any approved type and construction. A vertical slot, B, formed in the 3o draw-head is adapted to receive the coupler C, which is suspended therein by a pin or fulcrum, D, mounted in bearings E, respectively located on opposite sides of and running parallel with the slot B. These bearings, which are preferably cast integral with the draw-head,

also perform the function of protecting and guiding the coupler. The pin D aforesaid extends through a diagonal slot, F, formed in the coupler and situated therein, as shown,

` the coupler being raised and lowered through the range offered by the slot. A bevel or ineline, G, located within the draw-head, permits the coupler to be tipped back, when in its unlocked or elevated position, in which it 4 5 is 'maintainedby the engagement of the pin D aforesaid with a semicircular recess or set-off, H, formed in the forward end of the diagonal slot F, as shown. The metal of the coupler is so disposed that when it is elevated and 5o tipped back or inclined the line of the center of gravity falls to the rear of the pin or fulof the train.

crum D, and thereby prevents the coupler from being dislodged by the vibration and shock N Vhen, however, a link enters the draw-head and engages with the coupler, it is elevated, and the pin being released from engagement with the recess H, the coupler is a left free tofall forward and downward through the length of the diagonal slot. Vhen the coupler begins to fall, the line of its center of gravity is shifted to a point so much forward of the pin or fulcrum D that it is turned upon the shoulder I, forming the base of the bevel G, as upon a fulcrum, and its lower portion is deflected rearwardly into the recess J, 10- cated below the bevel aforesaid. The object in thus arranging to have the coupler describe a slightly-curved path in its descent is to prevent the forward arm, K, thereof from engaging with that portion of the lower wall of the draw-head lying directly in front of the slot B thereof. rIhis arrangement also effects an economy of space and insures avery prompt action of the coupler. The lever portion of the saidcoupler is divided into a forward arm, K, and into an arm,L, by an upright slot, N, which is adapted to receive the link M. The said arm K, which acts as a bolt for retaining the link within the draw-head, is of such length as will not interfere with the introduction of the link into the draw-head when the coupling is unlocked, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. As soon as any strain is imposed on a link engaged with the coupler it will draw the same forward and engage the straight edge O of the arm K with the end walls of the slot B, the pin F being entirely relieved. In virtue of this arrangement the wear of the coupler is reduced to the minimum and its efficiency prolonged. The lower edge of the said arm K is cut away or beveled, so as not to interfere with the introduction of the link into the draw-head and to act as an IOO A portion R of the inner edge of the arm` L is Yandtheouter edge-of the'Y arm K.

inclined, and therefore, if the link on entering the draw-head engages with this inclined edge, it will be defieeted thereby to the bottom of the draw-head and brought into juxtaposition with the bevel Q aforesaid.

The construction of the coupling precludes lateral motion of the link engaged by the coupler, except within narrow limits, and, furthermore, when, as often happens, the link is thrust violently into or jerked away from the draw-head, the shock is not transmitted to the suspension-bearings of the coupler, but absorbed by the draw-head, to which the shock is conveyed by the outer edge of the arm L instance, the link is suddenlyV jerked away from the draw-head, the shock falls on the forward end walls of the slot B, with which the straight edge ofthe arm K is engaged, before any wrench can 'be transmitted to the fulcrum of the coup-ler; On the other hand,- if the link is thrust into the draw-head, the rear arm ofthe coupler is'deflectedinto the recess .I and engagedwith thev rear wall thereof, and the fulcrum is relieved 'of all strain- This fea; ture'ofrelieving the suspension-bearings'of a pivoted or,suspen'ded'v coupler from all strain is one of the most` important attaching to my invention, as it reduces the wear of the parts to the minimum.

To unlock the coupling and lrelease the link, the coupler is simply lifted; This done, it tips back and sets'itselffor automatically engaging with another link as soon as one enters the draw-head.

A great variety of `devices may be employed for lifting .theI link, and I hold myself at liberty to select such as may prove'the best adapted to the purpose.` The device herein shown consists in a shaft, T, mounted in staples U, secured'to the end of a car, and provided with a depending handle, V, and a li fting-arm,W, the latter being 'connectedto the coupler by a chain, X.

My invention may be applied to -any of the ordinary forms of draw-head by providing themwith vertical slots, and withbearings Y for the pinto which the couplers arel suspended. Preferably, however, the bearings and slot are formed'whien the draw-heads are cast.

My improved coupling, being simple in construction, is thereforeV cheap tomanufacture and to maintain in running order. Itis,more over, prompt and reliable'in action and easy to operate.

The particular-form of the coupler-may vary somewhat; but, however changed inform, the diagonal slot'a'nd the forward and rear arms will remain in substantially the same rela# tionship as herein shown. I would therefore have it understood that I doy not limit myself to the exact combination and arrangement of if, for' parts herein shown and described, but hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of myinvention.

Having fully described my invention,what I claim asnew and of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

. 1. The combination, with a slotted drawhead, of a coupler provided with a diagonal slot and with a forward and a rear arm, the Vformer being the shorter, and the latter having its inner face beveled, and a pin extending through the diagonal slot of the coupler and mounted in the draw-head, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a slotted drawhead provided with the described incline, of acoupler having a diagonal slot and arranged to restupon the incline ofthe draw-head when in itselevated position, and a pin extending through the diagonal slot of the coupler and mounted in the draw-head, substantially as set forth.

3. rIhe combination, with a slotted drawhead, of a coupler provided with a diagonal slot, and suspended in the draw-head by a piu extending through the said diagonal slot and mounted in the draw-head, and means to elevate the coupler for'unlocking the coupling, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with a slotted drawhead, of a coupler provided with a diagonal slot, and suspended in the draw-head by a pin extending through the said diagonal slot and mounted in the draw-head, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with a slotted' drawhead provided with bearings, of a coupler previded with a diagonal slot, and with forward and rear arms separated by an upright slot, and a pin mounted in the bearings of the drawhead and extending through the diagonal slot of the coupler, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination, with a slotted drawhead, of a coupler `provided with a diagonal slotv having airecess or set-ofi", and a pin extending through the diagonal slot of the coupler and mounted in the draw-head, substantially as set forth. f

IIO

7. The combination, with a slotted drawhead, of a coupler'having a diagonal slot, and provided with a forward arm, a rear arm, the former being the shorter and having the lower edge beveled, and a pin extending through the diagonal slot of the coupler and mounted in the draw-head, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

, SAVAGE D. TRENHOLM.

'Vitnesses S. G. Norrinernmij, GEORGE Cook. 

